Odi Productions
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro comparison, as someone who has purchased both pairs of earbuds with my own money.
I’ve conducted thorough testing of both wireless earbuds, and I will break down a winner for each category including:
- Comfort and Fit
- Features
- Battery Life
- Microphone Quality
- Noise Cancelling Performance
- Sound Quality
- Value
I’ll be sharing my critical opinion with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, audio engineer, and tech journalist. I also run the RecordingNOW YouTube channel with over 17,000+ subscribers and over 4 million+ views, where you can watch the video versions of all of our reviews and comparisons.
Let’s dive right in!
Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro Comparison in Short
The Sony WF-1000XM6 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are virtually tied as two of the absolute best daily drivers in the entire wireless earbud class. The WF-1000XM6 has slightly superior sound quality due to more audiophile tuning and accessibility of LDAC. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is one of the most fun due to one of the best bass responses I’ve tested with tons of treble detail from its dual-driver architecture. The XM6 earbuds have slightly better noise cancelling performance, while the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is the more comfortable to wear.
Order HERE for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
![Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro (2026) AI True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds + $30 Gift Card, Hi-Res Audio, 2-Way Speaker, ANC 2.0, Optimized Comfort, IP57, Live Translation, Black [US Version, 2 Yr Warranty]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/312AqnkRCdL._SL500_.jpg)
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
Comfort, Features, Microphone Quality, and Battery Life
Comfort
The Sony WF-1000XM6 comes with 4 pairs of hybrid silicone-like and memory foam eartips.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro comes with 3 pairs of soft silicone eartips.
I highly prefer the comfort and fit of the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro over the Sony XM6 earbuds, due to a more form-fitting design and more comfortable eartip material.
The WF-1000XM6 is a rather large irregular shape and is a bit more annoying to handle than the stem design of the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.
Also, the XM6 earbuds need to be pushed a little further in to truly form a proper physical seal, and its eartip material is stiffer than the softer silicone on the Samsung earbuds.
I find that the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is much easier to slip on and off, and “forget you’re wearing them”.
To improve the comfort and fit of the XM6, I’ve really enjoyed using these aftermarket ones I tested from SpinFit (note that this entire review is using the stock eartips):
Features
When it comes to features, I find the Sony WF-1000XM6 to be a little more feature-rich than the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.
First off, Sony has native support for both iOS and Android devices with native apps for each ecosystem. The Samsungs, on the other hand, only have an Android app. That leaves a lot of iPhone users without the ability to effectively manage or customize the Samsung.
Second, for high-res codec support, the Sony XM6 support LDAC while the Samsungs support “SSC UHQ” high-res codec.
While both codecs on paper are high-res, LDAC is more accessible, since SSC UHQ is exclusive to Samsung Galaxy devices like the S23 smartphone and newer.
So in theory, you need not only an Android device, but a modern Samsung smartphone to get the highest quality out of the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.
Now, one feature that is a big advantage on the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is its IP57 dust and water-resistance rating, compared to the Sony XM6’s IPX4.
To put this into laymen’s terms, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is resistant to dust, sweat, and submersible in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The WF-1000XM6 is only resistant to sweat and light splashes of water.
Microphone Quality
The Sony WF-1000XM6 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro have two of the best microphone quality in the class, thanks to multiple microphones per earbud and AI technology.
Interestingly, both earbuds employ the use of bone conduction sensors to enhance mic quality.
You can’t go wrong with either pair of these earbuds for call quality, as they are two of the best in the market currently.
The only contender here that is comparable to both is the AirPods Pro 3.
Battery Life
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Battery Life
- With ANC on: 6 hours of battery life on a single charge / 26 hours total with charging case
- With ANC off: 7 hours on a single charge / 36 hours total with charging case
- Fast Charge: 10 minutes = 85 minutes of playback
Sony WF-1000XM6 Battery Life
- With ANC on: 8 hours of battery life on a single charge / 24 hours total with charging case
- With ANC off: 12 hours on a single charge / 36 hours total with charging case
- Fast Charge: 5 minutes = 1 hour of playback
The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds have a decent advantage over the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro when it comes to battery life.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Score: 9.5 out of 10
Sony WF-1000XM6 Score: 9.0 out of 10
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Noise Cancelling Performance Compared
Sony’s consumer audio products for both headphones and earbuds have been some of the best noise cancelling technology outside of Bose.
The newer Sony WF-1000XM6 continues that trend and is seriously impressive in this arena.
I find the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro’s noise cancelling to be much improved over the previous Buds3 Pro, but the Sony XM6 earbuds are arguably now the best-in-class, tied with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen.
I think the physical seal and eartip material on the Sony WF-1000XM6 is superior for passive noise isolation and ANC than the relaxed fit of the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.
Aside from ANC, the Transparency Modes are pretty good on both the Sony and the Samsung.
I slightly prefer the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro’s transparency mode which is the best and most natural I’ve heard to date.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Score: 8.5 out of 10
Sony WF-1000XM6 Score: 9.0 out of 10
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6
Sound Quality
When it comes to sound quality, I think Sony has the experience advantage on paper.
Of course Samsung is a seriously impressive company as a whole, creating excellent products in countless markets, but Sony is more well-versed in niche audiophile products like earbuds and headphones.
Starting with high-res codec support, the XM6 supports the Sony-developed LDAC, while the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro supports the Samsung-developed “SSC UHQ”, standing for Samsung Seamless Codec Ultra High-Quality.
To conduct this test, I used my Questyle QCC Dongle Pro to unlock LDAC support:
![Questyle QCC Dongle Pro [MFi Certified] USB-C Bluetooth Audio Adapter with LDAC,aptX Lossless&aptX-Adaptive,Low Latency Bluetooth 5.4 Dongle for PS5,Wireless Lossless Transmitter for PC/Headphones](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21jT-Cm5ZVL._SL500_.jpg)
If you’re an iPhone user, or if your phone doesn’t support aptX codecs, then I highly recommend you pick up the dongle above which will cover both LDAC and aptX Adaptive high-res codecs. It’s the only one of its kind that supports both, to my knowledge.
Starting with the stock sound profiles, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro clearly leans V-shaped, while the Sony WF-1000XM6 is warmer, more tonally balanced, and relatively neutral. I think most audiophiles would gravitate towards the more “refined” and reference-like tuning of the XM6 earbuds, over the more consumer-friendly Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.
Even though the Sony XM6 has the more “refined” tuning, both have excellent sound quality and clarity when utilizing their full high-res codecs of LDAC and SSC UHQ.
Part of this is due to the dual-driver, dual-amp architecture of the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, resulting in massive bass response from the 11mm woofer coupled with sharp details in the treble from the 5.5mm planar tweeters.
Interestingly, the Sony XM6 keeps up in ability with just a single 8.4mm carbon fiber composite driver, resulting in a more cohesive and midrange-focused sound.
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is relatively lacking in the midrange for me, but makes up for it with arguably the best bass response I’ve heard in a wireless earbud outside the $449 Noble FoKus Rex5, interestingly employing a somewhat similar 5-driver setup.
In essence, the Sony WF-1000XM6 sounds a lot more natural and with more realistic timbre in vocals and instruments than the very hyped-up Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.
That said, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is arguably the more “fun” earbud to listen to out of the box, while the XM6 is very refined, “mature”, and with little weaknesses.
I give the edge to the WF-1000XM6 which blew me away for its audiophile-level sound quality, especially in LDAC mode, but the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro will surprise a LOT of people with how good it sounds.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Score: 8.4 out of 10
Sony WF-1000XM6 Score: 8.6 out of 10
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6
Value
The Sony WF-1000XM6 is retails at $329.99 USD.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro retails for $249.99 USD.
Both are relatively brand new releases so there’s not much sale going on, but probably will be in the future.
At the current prices, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is clearly the better dollar value, as it’s competitive in every category for around $80 USD cheaper.
I will say that the XM6 earbuds have slightly superior sound quality and noise cancelling performance, but it’s not a huge gap.
Also its LDAC support for best audio quality is accessible on virtually all modern Android phones, and can be added to iPhone with a dongle. But the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro strictly requires a modern Samsung device to unlock its full potential SSC UHQ mode.
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro does have a much more comfortable fit as well.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Value Score: 9.0 out of 10
Sony WF-1000XM6 Value Score: 8.5 out of 10
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
Overall Scoring Breakdown
- Best noise cancelling performance
- True audiophile sound quality
- One of the best mic quality
- Pricy
- Comfort could be slightly improved
- Best-in-class comfort
- Very fun and detailed sound
- One of the best mic quality
- Incredible bass response
- There is better noise cancelling
- There is slightly better sound quality
Our Verdict: Sony WF-1000XM6
This comparison was so close that we had to resort to the full calculated scores, and the Sony WF-1000XM6 won by a margin of just .05 in overall scoring.
The final score for the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro came in at 8.65, while the Sony WF-1000XM6 scored 8.70 flat, narrowly edging out the Samsungs by .05.
I think the closeness here is very accurate to this decision, and ultimately, I do agree with the scoring as the WF-1000XM6 has the superior sound quality and noise cancelling performance, which is our 2 highest-priority categories.
That said, if I was a Samsung Galaxy phone user or similar, I would not hesitate to pickup the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, which really are like the “AirPods” of the Android/Samsung ecosystem.
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro boasts effortless comfort while still maintaining very competitive sound quality, mic quality, and noise cancelling.
Both of these are two of the best daily drivers in the market, aside from the AirPods Pro 3 for Apple users.
Lastly, if you’d like to save some money and keep supporting RecordingNOW.com’s 100% independent, unbiased reviews, do consider using some of our affiliate links below to shop and even just compare prices. We purchase all products we review with our own money to maintain the highest level of integrity, and your support goes into that plus a continuously improving site experience.
Order HERE for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
How We Tested and Our Methodology
RecordingNOW.com is a 100% independent publisher with over 10 years of experience testing and reviewing consumer electronics and headphones.
We currently purchase the products we test with our own money, and are not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.
After purchasing the product, we conduct up to hundreds of hours of detailed hands-on testing in a controlled, acoustically-treated environment.
ODi Productions is our resident expert and author of this article, with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, tech journalist, and audiophile.
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